Illinois boys hockey player of the year helps Glenbrook North advance

Rob Dicker/Chicago Tribune

Even after going down to the ice with Fenwick’s Padraig McEnery (left), Glenbrook North’s David Rubin makes a pass during the second round of the state tournament Saturday in Bensenville. Glenbrook North defeated Fenwick 1-0 to advance.

Even after going down to the ice with Fenwick’s Padraig McEnery (left), Glenbrook North’s David Rubin makes a pass during the second round of the state tournament Saturday in Bensenville. Glenbrook North defeated Fenwick 1-0 to advance. (Rob Dicker/Chicago Tribune)

The fourth-seeded Spartans were scheduled to play fifth-seeded St. Viator in the quarterfinals Wednesday in Bensenville.

Rubin did a lot more than just score the game-winning goal.

With the Spartans leading 1-0 with 90 seconds remaining in the game, 13th-seeded Fenwick pulled its goalie. There were four faceoffs during that time and Rubin took the last three for Glenbrook North (55-18-3). He won them all. He also intercepted a pass just before time ran out.

Rubin downplayed the significance of the three critical faceoffs, saying they were no different than any other faceoff he takes.

"If I lose a faceoff, I'm really upset with myself," said Rubin, who plans to attend Illinois in the fall and play on the school's club hockey team. "I want to win everything I do. If you win the faceoffs and everything else you do in a game, you win the game."

Rubin has scored 73 goals and tallied 49 assists, which is good for 122 points, according to the team website. He leads the Spartans in all three categories.

Glenbrook North goalie Tyler Laarveld, who turned away three shots in the final 90 seconds to help secure the victory, said Rubin tries to be a part of every play. Rubin's feel for the game helps him do just that.

"Sometimes when you see him he seems to be gliding, but he's reading the play so he knows where to go," Laarveld said.

One of those times came when he scored the game's only goal. David Wilcox was skating down the left side of the rink all alone when he took a shot. Rubin was near the goal to tip the puck into the net.

"We work on that play a lot," Rubin said. "I always tell him to just take the shot. If you don't make it, I'll deflect it in."

As thrilled as Rubin said he was to earn the player of the year honor, he said he felt it was a team award.

"It's a great feeling, Rubin said. "They gave me the award but all my teammates played a role in it. I tell them it's for all of us."